Load extractor and inserter



May 25, 1965 A. R. cHAsAR ETAL 3,185,320

LOAD EXTRACTOR AND INSERTER May 25, 1965 A. R. cHAsAR ETAL 3,185,320

LOAD EXTRACTOR AND INSERTER Filed Dec. 21, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. R. cHAsAR ETA; 3,185,320

LOAD EXTRACTOR AND INSERTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV EN TOR.

May 25, 1965 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 May 25, 1965 A. R. cHAsAR ETAL 3,185,320

LOAD EXTRACTOR AND INSERTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F'iled Dec. 2l, 1962 INVENTOR. @hws/W? HTTNFYS United States Patent O 3,185,320 LOAD EXTRACTOR AND INSERTER Anthony R. Chasar, Mentor Village, and Alfonso Mehrbrodt, Cleveland, Ghio, assignors to The Triax Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Fiied Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,635 1G Claims. (Cl. 214-16.@

This invention relates to a load extractor and inserter mechanism for use in a mechanical storage apparatus and more particularly to the driving means thereof.

An exemplary storage apparatus' of the type referred to comprises parallel rows of vertically and horizontally aligned load support means having an aisle therebetween and a mechanized carrier disposed in the aisle, which carrier is movable in said aisle for delivering a load to or retrieving it from a selected one of the support means. The carrier has a main frame which is movable both vertically and horizontally and from which an extractor frame is movable laterally into the load support means. Each support means comprises a pair of parallel, spaced channels having their open sides facing each other in such manner as to receive roller equipped edges of the extractor frame. The extractor carries means for lifting a load from or depositing it, bridgelike, across the spaced channels. Such a warehousing system is fully disclosed in copending application Serial No. 66,776, tiled November 2, 1960, now Patent No. 3,139,994, and entitled Mechanical Load Handling, Transfer and Storage Equipment.

The present invention is concerned with the main and extractor frames of the carrier and to the drive means for moving the extractor frame out of the main frame. It will be readily appreciated that a smooth entry of the extractor frame into the load support channels depends, in general, upon the exactness of the vertical and horizontal alignment of the two parts. However, absolutely perfect alignment can seldom be obtained at every load support means, and some mobility of the extractor frame in both vertical and horizontal directions is desirable to accommodate for any misalignment and assure a smooth entry. At the same time, a positive driving connection between the main frame and the extractor frame must be maintained whereby the extractor frame can be moved and stopped with precision without overtravel or slippage of the relatively movable frames. Accordingly, the objects of this invention are'to provide a load extractor and inserter and driving means therefor wherein a positive, rrn driving connection between the relatively movable frames is maintained at all times while at the same time affording a horizontally and vertically floating connection between said frames in directions perpendicular to the path of movement of the extractor frame.

Other objects of the invention and a number of its advantages will be understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end view, partially broken away, of a mechanized storage apparatus of the type referred to;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view partially broken away, taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. l

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged end View also partially broken away, of the main frame and extractor as seen from the line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a View similar to FIG. 5 showing certain parts thereof in relatively different positions; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7 7 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a typical environment for the load extractor and inserter of "ice this invention is illustrated in the form of a storage Vframe generally indicated at 10 having a vertically and horizontally movable carrier generally indicated by the numeral 2t). A

The storage frame 10 is of the open type constructed from elongated steel members of suitable cross sectional shape which are welded, bolted, or otherwise suitably secured together to form a rigidV structure. Said storage frame comprises parallel rows of aisle posts 11 and 11' defining an aisle therebetween in which the carrier 20 moves. Outwardly from the aisle posts 11-11, transversely of said aisle, there are provided parallel rows of outer posts 12 and 12 respectively. There are the same number of posts in each row, and the spacings between adjacent posts in a direction parallel with the aisle, is the same whereby to provide a plurality of bays B along the aisle on either side thereof. The posts are rigidly mounted by any suitable means upon a base means 13 and are connected across their upper ends, in a direction transverse to the aisle, by a plurality of cross ties 14. Each row of posts 11, 11', 12 or 12', are connected together in a direction parallel with the aisle by stringers 15, 15', 16, or 16. Each pair of transversely aligned posts 11-12 or 1T-12 carries horizontally disposed load channels 17 or 17 which are disposed at right angles to the aisle. As best shown in FIG. 2, these load channels are welded or otherwise suitably secured with their web portions against the sides of their associated posts and their flanges directed toward the adjacent posts. Oppositely facing pairs of the load channels provide vertically aligned load levels within the bays B for supporting loads bridged thereacross as indicated at L.

The carrier 2li comprises a main frame 21 which is vertically movable upon a pair of vertically upright masts 22. Said masts are disposed within the aisle and are aligned parallel therewith. Cross members 23 and 24 connect the masts together adjacent to their upper and lowermost ends respectively to form a horizontally movable frame 25 for movement along the aisle. The horizontally movable frame 25 has wheels 26 mounted at its lower end for rolling engagement upon a track 27 carried by the base means 13. A second track 28 is mounted vertically above and parallel with the track 27 and is carried by the cross ties 14. A vertically disposed drive shaft 29, suitably driven by a motor 30, is also mounted to the frame 25 and carries at its lower and upper ends idenical pinions 31 and 32 respectively. The pinion 31 engages a rack 33 carried on one side of the track 27, and the pinion 32 similarly engages a rack 34 carried at the other side of the upper track 28. Backup rollers 35 and 36, carried by the horizontally movable frame 25, maintain the racks and pinions in mesh with each other and hold the frame 25 in alignment with the tracks 27 and 28.

The main frame 21 is vertically slidable or otherwise suitably mounted for vertical movement relative to the masts 22 by means of, for example, rollers 37 mounted in upper and lower, vertically spaced pairs to rollingly engage the transversely directed sides of said masts (FIG. 2). Driving means for moving the main frame is provided in the form of a motor 38 which drives pinions 39. The pinions 39 in turn engage the teeth of racks 410 which are secured on one side of each of the masts 22 and extend substantially the length of said masts.

It will be understood that the foregoing movements of the various components of the carrier 20 are initiated and maintained to move the horizontally movable frame 25 back and forth along the aisle and the main frame 21 up and down in the aisle by suitable control means not herein illustrated. Reference to the above mentioned patent application will fully reveal one manner in which a carrier of the type herein described may be controlled.

The main frame 21 comprises a pair of upright members 50 which embrace portions of the masts 22 respectively and which members carry the rollers 37 of'said main frame. Side walls 51 which are disposed trans: versely of the aisle are respectively secured to the upright members Si). Said side walls are connected to each other below their upper edges by a top wall or base 52 and across the transversely directed ends by end walls 53. The side walls, base, and end walls comprise a downwardly open housing within which the motor 38 and other driving parts are mounted and enclosed.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the side walls 51 carry a pair of oppositely facing channel shaped guides 54 spaced upwardly above the topl wall or base 52 by spacers S. The guides 54 are mounted with their web portions against the inside surfaces of the side walls 51 respectively and with their open sides; directed toward each other. Said guides are of the same size and have the same horizontal spacing as the load channels 17 or 17. The guides 54 carry a roller equipped extractor frame 69 which is adapted to move out of said guides and into a pair of oppositely facing load channels when the carrier has been aligned with a selected bay B and the main frame 21 has been raised to a selected load level.

The extractor frame 60 comprises side members 61 which are disposed transversely of the aisle and end members 62 disposed parallel with said aisle and connecting the ends of said side members together. The ends of each side member 61 carry rollers 63 mounted upon vertical axes for rolling engagement with the webs of the guides 54. Intermediate the ends of said side members there are provided rollers 64 mounted on horizontal axes and adapted to roll upon the bottom flanges of the guides 54, said rollers being held captive between the guide flanges.

The extractor frame 60 carries a vertically movable platform 65 which is supported at the four corners thereof by vertically acting, preferably hydraulic jacks 66 actuatable from any suitable source of pressure fluid (not herein shown). Each jack 66is mounted in a U-shaped bracket 67 mounted to said extractor frame inwardly of an adjacent sidey member 61 and end member 62. Adjacent to the corners of the platform 65, said platform carries on its lower side inverted, U-shaped retainers 68 which t downwardly over the jacks 66. Said jacks are adapted to move the platform 65 from the full line position of FIG. 4 where it is disposed below the upper flanges of the guides 54 to the fragmentary, broken line position above the level of said flanges.

In operation, a load carried by the carrier 2) rests upon the platform 65 of the extractor frame 60 with said platform in the raised position. The guides 54 are then brought into horizontal alignment with a selected pair of load channels 17 or 17'. The extractor frame 60 is then moved out of the guides 54 into the selected load channels which provide guideway means for receiving said extractor frame. With theplatform 65 in the raised position, a load carried thereby is thus moved over top of the upper flanges of the selected loadv channels. Subsequent lowering of the platform to the full line position of FIG.4 will thereby lower the load on to t-he upper flanges of the load channels, the load being bridged across said channels. With the platform in the lowered position, the extractor frame 60 can then be returned to a normal, centered position in relation to the guides 54 and the carrier 20.

It will be readily understood that to remove a load from a selected pair of load channels, the guides 54 are aligned with said load channels with t-he platform 65 in the lowered position whereby the extractor frame 60 can move transversely out of the aisle into the load channels beneath a load bridged thereacross. Subsequent raising of the platform 65 then lifts the load off of the load channels whereby it can be returned with the extractor frame to the` center of the carrier.

The drive means for moving the extractor frame 60 inY either transverse direction out of the guides 54 comprises a motor 70 and a pair of similar gear reducers 71 and 71' mounted in any suitable manner beneath the base 52. The gear reducers 71-71 are disposed adjacent to the end walls 53 of the main frame and are connected together by a synchronizing shaft 72. The motor 'l has a driving :sprocket 73 connected to a driven sprocket 74 of said synchronizing shaft through an endless belt or chain 75. Each gear reducer 71 or 'il'.n turn carries a drive sprocket 76 or 76 connected to a driven sprocket 77 or 77' through an endless belt or chain 7S lor 73.

The driven sprockets 77-77 are respectively mounted Y on the lowermost ends of axially vertical, like transfer Walls respectively.

Horizontally adjustable, axially vertical idler sprockets 81 and 81 are mounted upon brackets 82 and 82 which are secured in any suitable manner to the end walls 53 respectively. Said idler sprockets engage the outer pe- 4 ripheries of the chains 78 and 7S' respectively in such manner `as to take up any slack in said chains thereby channels.

' 60 may have to move slightly in a vertical and/ or horizonaffording a positive driving engagement between the drive sprockets 76-76 and the driven sprockets 77-77".` The idler sprockets,81-81 are mounted to the brackets 82-82 by nut and bolt assemblies S3 which project through suitable slots 84 in said brackets for adjustable movement toward or away from the chains 7848'.

The upper ends of the transfer shafts 79-79' which project above the base 52 carry like pinions 89 and 89' respectively which engage the laterally directed, toothed edge of a rack which is carried by the extractor frame 6). The rack 90 is maintained closely meshed with said pinions by like backup rollers 91 and 91 which engage Ithe opposite, straight side of said rack directly across from said pinions 89-S9 respectively. The backup rollers 91-91 are disposed above the base 52 and are carried by shafts 92-92 journalled in bearings 93-93 disposed generally below the base 52 and projecting upwardly into suitable apertures of said base. The bearings 93-93 are, in turn, mounted to the end walls 53 respectively by suitable brackets 94 and 94 respectively.

When the vertically movable main frame 21 is moved to a selected pair of load channels 17 or 17', there may be slight horizontal and/0r vertical misalignrnent between the guides 54 of the main frame and the selected load Therefore, the roller equipped extractor frame substantially thicker in an axial direction than the rack 90 which. they engage whereby said rack can move slightly in an upward or downward direction without becoming disengaged from the teeth of the pinion.V However, no horizontal movement of the rack 99 transverse to the direction of movement of the extractor frame 60 is permitted because said rack is at all times closely held between at least one of the pinions 89 or 89 and a backup roller 91 or 91'.

Because the rack 90 cannot shift horizontally` relative to the pinions 259-89', said rack is mounted to the extractor frame is such manner as to allow relative movement between said rack and said extractor frame in a horizont-al direction transverse to the movement of the extractor frame. In other words, if there is a'slight horizontal misa-lignrnent between the guides 54 and the selected load channels, the extractor frame 60 is able to shift laterally relative to the rack 96 without edecting the engagement of said rack with its driving pinions.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and the enlarged details of FIGS. 5-7, the end members 62 of the extractor frame 6i) vare provided with inwardly projecting pairs of lugs 100 and 100', said pairs of lugs being disposed generally along the center line of the extractor frame relative to its direction of movement and being welded or otherwise suitably secured to said end members. Each pair of lugs are spaced from each other and carry a like, horizontally disposed pin 101 or 1&1. Both the pairs of lugs 10Q-160 and the pins i-191 lie generally in the horizontal plane of the extractor frame 6%. The rack 90 is necessarily disposed .below the plane of the extractor frame 60 in the horizontal plane of the pinions 89-39' and the backup rollers 91-91.

The rack 9d is suspended below the pairs of lugs 190- 160' by an elongated, channel-shaped support N2 the ends of which are engaged by the pins 101401 respectively. The ends of the support 102 are disposed between the lugs with the anges 103 of said support directed downwardly and extending below the extractor frame 69. Said flanges have inwardly turned lower edge portions 194:1 and upwardly turned lower edge portions 16417. A plurality of nutlike threaded attaching means 165 are disposed within the channel-shaped support and are bridged across the upturned lower edge portions 1Mb. The lower surfaces of the attaching means 105 are grooved at 105e, yand the upturned lower edge portions 164i: are disposed rwithin said grooves. The rack 9d is disposed with its upper surface against the portions 1G4a and is rigidly held thereagainst by upwardly directed bolts 166 projecting through recessed apertures 107 in said rack and engaging said threaded attaching means. The rack 9i) is longitudinally adjustable relative to the support 1G?. by loosening of the bolts 195 thereby allowing the grooved attaching means to slide relative to the upturned portions 10411; and said rack is rigidly held in any adjusted position by tightening said bolts. The attaching means 10S is also effectively prevented from turning or disengaging itself `from the support 162, during adjustment of the rack, by the upturned portions 1Mb seated in the grooves 165:1.

The ends of the channel shaped support 102 are provided with aligned apertures through the langes thereof in which said apertures are mounted bushings 1% and 1%. The pins itil-161 are loosely, slidably disposed through the bushings 16S-1% respectively whereby to provide relative transverse movement between the support .102 and the extractor frame dit. The spacing between the pairs of lugs 19d-199 is greater than the width of the support means 162 thereby allowing such movement. There is, therefore, a slight amount of relative transverse movement possible between the extractor frame 6th and the rack 99 which is carried rigidly with the support 192.

FIG. 5 shows the normal position of the support 102 when the extractor frame 60 is centered relative tothe carrier and in engagement with the guides Se. Under these circumstances, the support 162 is generally centered between the lugs 10S-itin and the center line of the extractor is substantially coincidental with the center line X of the support 192 as illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows the condition where the extractor has shifted in a horizontal direction transverse to its direction of movement due to some slight horizontal misalignmen-t between the guides 54 and a pair of selected load channels as the extractor attempts to enter said load channels. The center line X of the support 162 and, therefore, of the rack 96 remains unchanged although the extractor 6i? has shifted relative to both said support and said rack.

The dotted line showing of FlG. 3 shows the extractor 66 as it lea es the guides 54 and enters a selected pair of load channels 17. Under these conditions, the rack 90 completely disengages itself from the pinion S9 and the backup roller 91 as said extractor enters the storage frame. However, throughout the entire horizontal movement of the extractor frame into and out of a selected pair of load channels, the rack 91B remains in driving engagement with at least one of the drive pinions, in this case the pinion 89. When the extractor moves back into the main frame 21, the rack 90 automatically re-engages with the pinion S9 due to the fact that both pinions are synchronized with each other. If, as the rack 94) approaches for re-engagement with the pinion 89, the end of said rack is not perfectly centered between said pinion and the associated backup roller, said rack will merely shift slightly upon the p-in lill when it touches either the pinion 89 or the backup roller 91 .and will smoothly re-engage the pinion.

The `extractor frame 66 is readily movable to the left, as shown in FIG. 3, into the load channels 17 in which case the rack 96 leaves the pinion 89 but always remains engaged with the pini-on S9.V Re-engagement of said rack with the pinion S9 will be effected'when the extractor frame is subsequently .recentered upon the carrier in the same `manner `as set forth above in relation to the pinion 89.

-From the foregoing it will be `seen that the movability of the rack 90 in a direction perpendicular to the path of extractor movement allows the `extractor to move horizontally relative to the .fr-ack las it enters 1a selected pair of load channels and also allows the rack to move laterally relative to the extractor when the extractor trame 'is moved back to the carrier and said rack re-engages one of the pinions 89 or 39. At the 'same time, the above const-ruction maintains a iirm and positive driving engagement between the extractor and the main frame yalong the line of extractor movement whereby accurate, positive starting `and stopping of the extractor can be effected without lag ior overtr-avel of said extractor.

It will be understood that many changes in the details of this invention as herein disclosed and illustrated may be made without, however, departing from the spirit thereof Ior the scope of the :appended claims.

Vthat is claimed is:

1. In a load extractor and inserter mechanism for a mechanical storage ,apparatus of the type having means providing a plurality of load receiving guideway means and a load Icarrier movable to said guideway means to deposit or retrieve a load thereat; drive lmeans fo-r a horizontally movable -load extractor frame movable rela-tive to a main frame lof the carrier into the guideway means; said drive means comprising a lrack carried by the extractor frame; gea-r means carried by the main frame -and engaging said rack; backup means carried by `said main frame and maintaining said rack in mesh with `said gear means; power means connected to said gear means to rotate said gear means and cause said rack and the extractor frame to move out of the main frame; connector means mounting said rack to said extractor frame; said connector means including pin means carried by said extractor frame 'and disposed transversely of the path of extractor frame movement; said lrack slidably mounted on .said pin means and yaording movement of said rack relative to the extractor frame in a direction perpendicular t-o the path of movement of the extractor frame whereby the extractor frame can .accommodate itself to misalignment between the main frame yand the guideway means.

2. In `a load extractor and inserter mechanism for a mechanical storage apparatus of the typ-e having means providing a plurality of load receiving `guideway means rand a load carrier movable to said guideway means to deposit or retrieve a load thereat; drive means for a horizontally movable load extractor frame movable in either of two opposite directions relative to a main frame of the carrier into the guideway means; said drive means comprising a rack carried by the extractor frame; a pair of .pinions carried by the main frame and engaging opposite end portions of said .rack when the extractor frame is centered relative to the main frame; backup means disposed adjacent to each said pinion maintaining said rack closely `meshed with said pinion; power means connected to said 7 pinions to rotate said pinions and cause the extractor frame to move 1out of the main frame while maintaining engagement -of at least one of said pinions with said rack; connector means mounting` said rack to said extractor frame; said connector means including pin means carried by said extractor frame and disposed transversely yof the path of extractor frame movement and alording movement of said rack relative to the extractor frame in `a direction at right angles to the axes of said pinions whereby the extractor frame can 'accommodate itself to misalignment between the main frame and the guideway eans.

3. In a load extractor and inserter mechanism lor a mechanical storage yapparatus of the type having means providing a plurality of load receiving guideway means land a load carrier movable to saidV guideway means to deposit or retrieve a load thereat; drive means 4for a horizontally movable load extractor ^Frame movable in either of two opposite directions out of a main frame of the carrier into the guideway means; said drive means cornprising a rack carried by the extractor frame and having a laterally directed ltoothed edge; a pair `of axially vertical pinions carried by the main frame and engaging opposite end portions of said rack when the extractor frame is centered relative to the main frame; a pair of axially vertical `backup rollers carried by the main frame opposite said pinions iand maintaining said rack yclosely meshed with said pinions; power means connected to said pinions to rotate said pinions and cause the extractor frame'to move outof the main frame while maintaining engagement of `at least `one of said pinions with said rack; mounting means for said rack including transverse pin :and pin guide means affording movement of said rack relative to lthe extractor trame in a direction at right yangles to the axes of said pinions and said backup rollers; :and said pinions and said means, said apparatus having ya main frame, gear drivek means carried by said main frame, -a horizontally movable extractor frame mounted on said main frame, a rack carried by said extractor frame and backup means carried by said main frame and maintaining said rack closely in mesh with said gear drive means; mounting means for said rack comprising pairs of spaced lugs secured adjacent to respective ends of the extractor frame; pin means carried by each said pair of lugs disposed transversely of the direction of ltravel of the extract-or frame; support means rmounted on said pin means between said lugs and project- Iing downwa-rdly therebelow for carrying the rack -on the lower side thereof in mesh with the gear drive means; said support means being substantially narrower than the spacing between said pairs of lugs and affording relative transverse movement between the extractor frame and the rack whereby the extractor frame can accommodate itself to misalignment between -the main frame and the guideway means.

5. In a load transfer yapparatus as set forth inclainrli; said support means comprising an elongated channel member apertured lat the ends thereof to receive said pin means of said lugs; said channel member yhaving parallel anges ydirected downwardly; said lianges having inwardly `and upwardly turned lower edge portions projecting upwardly into said channel member; threaded attaching means captively carried within said channel member upon said upwardly turned edges; and bolt means projecting upwardly from the rack and engaging said attaching means for Iretaining the rack against the lower side of said support means in use of said bolt means. t K t 6. In `a load transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 5;

cui

means providing parallel 4grooves in lower surface portions `of said attaching means; Vsaid upwardly turned edge portions seated in said grooves.

7. In a load extractor and inserte-r mechanism for a mechanical storage .apparatus of the type having means providing a plurality Aof load Ireceiving guideway means and a load carrier movable to said guideway means to deposit or retrieve aload thereat, said mechanism comprising `a main frame; a pair of pinions carried respectively adjacent `to yopposite ends of said main frame; reversible power means driv-ingly connected to said pinions `and including means synchronizing said pinions; an extractor horizontally movably mounted on said main frame for movement relative to said main frame in either of two opposite direct-ions; pairs `of spaced lugs secured adjacent to opposite ends of said extractor respectively; pin means carried by each said pair of lugs disposed transversely of the direction of travel `of said extractor; support means slidably mounted on ysaid pin means between said lugs and projecting downwardly therebelow; a rack secured to the lower side of said support means for engagement with lsaid pinions; backup idler rollers carried by .said main -frame and maintaining said rack in mesh with both said pinions when said extractor is centered relative to said main frame; said support means being substantially narrower than the spacing between said pairs of lugs and affording relative transverse movement between said extractor and said rack whereby the extractor can accommodate itself to misalignment between said main frame and the guideway means.

8. In a load extracto-r and inserter mechanism for a mechanical storage apparatus of the type having means providing -a plurality of loa-d receiving guideway means and a load carrier movable to said guideway means to deposit or retrieve a load thereat; drive means for a horizontally movable load extractor frame movable out tof la main frame of the carrier into the -guideway means when said guideway means is substantially aligned with the extractor frame; said drive means comprising xed pinions carried by the main frame; 'sai-d pinions rotatable -about vertical axes; a rack carried by and movable vertically with the extractor frame; means holding said rack in mesh with said pinions; connector means mounting said rack to said extractor frame including an elongated support fixed to said rack; pin means carried by said extractor frame and disposed transversely of the vdirection of extractor frame movement, said `support being laterally slidably carried by said pin means and affording relative horizontal movement between said rack and the extractor frame in a direction at right angles to the direction yof movement of the extractor frame whereby the extractor frame can accommodate itself to any slight horizontal misalignment between the extractor frame and the guideway means; said Ipinions and said rack being of such relative vertical thickness yas to `aiiord slight vertical relative movement therebetween while maintaining good driving engagement with each otherwhereby the extractor frame can accommodate itself to any slight vertical misalignment between the extractor frame and the guideway means.

9. Drive means for a horizontally movi ble frame movable .relative to a main frame; said drive means comprising a rack having horizontally laterally directed teeth carried by said movable frame, said pack disposed parallel with the direction of movement thereof; gear drive means carried by said main frame `and engaging said rack; backup means carried by said main frame and maintaining Vsaid rack in mesh with said gear means; connector means mounting said rack to said movable frame; said connector means including horizontal pin means disposed transversely of the path of movement of said movable frame;

said Yconnector means including transversely spaced stopk means carried by said movable Vframe and carrying the ends of said pin means; said rack mounted on said pin means for transverse movement between said stop means thereby affording movement of the movable frame relat-ve to said rack in a direction transverse to the lpath of movement of said movable frame.

10. Drive means for a horizontally movable fname movable 'relative t0 a main fra-me, said drive means comprising gear drive means carried by said main fname; .a rack carried by said movable frame; means holding Vsaid rack closely in mesh with said gear `drive means; pai-rs of spaced lugs secured adjacent to respective ends of said movable frame; a pin carried by each said pair of lugs and disposed transversely of the direction of travel `of said movable frame; `support means mounted on said pins between said lugs land projecting downwardly therebelow for carrying said rack on the `lower side thereof in mesh with said gear drive means; said support means being substantially narrower than the spacing between Isaid pairs of lugs and :affording relative transverse movement between said movable frame and said rack.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Examiner. 

1. IN A LOAD EXTRACTOR AND INSERTER MECHANISM FOR A MECHANICAL STORAGE APPARATUS OF THE TYPE HAVING MEANS PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF LOAD RECEIVING GUIDEWAY MEANS AND A LOAD CARRIER MOVABLE TO SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS TO DEPOSIT OR RETRIEVE A LOAD THEREAT; DRIVE MEANS FOR A HORIZONTALLY MOVABLE LOAD EXTERIOR FRAME MOVABLE RELATIVE TO A MAIN FRAME OF THE CARRIER INTO THE GUIDEWAY MEANS; SAID DRIVE MEANS COMPRISING A RACK CARRIED BY THE EXTRACTOR FRAME; GEAR MEANS CARRIED BY THE MAIN FRAME AND ENGAGING SAID RACK; BACKUP MEANS CARRIED BY SAID MAIN FRAME AND MAINTAINING SAID RACK IN MESH WITH SAID GEAR MEANS; POWER MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID GEAR MEANS TO ROTATE SAID GEAR MEANS AND CAUSE SAID RACK AND THE EXTRACTOR FRAME TO MOVE OUT OF THE MAIN FRAME; CONNECTOR MEANS MOUNTING SAID RACK TO SAID EXTRACTOR FRAME; SAID CONNECTOR MEANS INCLUDING PIN MEANS CARRIED BY SAID EXTRACTOR FRAME AND DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY OF THE PATH OF EXTRACTOR FRAME MOVEMENT; SAID RACK SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PIN MEANS AND AFFORDING MOVEMENT OF SAID RACK RELATIVE TO THE EXTRACTOR FRAME IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE EXTRACTOR FRAME WHEREBY THE EXTRACTOR FRAME CAN ACCOMMODATE ITSELF TO MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE MAIN FRAME AND THE GUIDEWAY MEANS. 